Traveling with children isn’t always a smooth ride. There are many more things to consider than when you are traveling with adults only. Before you book your next vacation by air, learn which airlines are friendlier to children and can provide you with the safety and comfort you want.

All of those people sitting so close together in successive rows are enough to make anyone skeptical about flying. Even though it’s safer than driving, throwing children into the mix can make for an interesting experience. But, you don’t have to fret over a potentially cranky child or annoyed fellow passengers.

Here are some of the best airlines to choose from when you are planning to travel with your children. Whether you are planning domestic or international travel, some airlines are more accommodating to children.

It’s important to know that most airlines don’t offer discounts for children over the age of 2. What you will want to look for in an airline is amenities as well as the demeanor of the in-flight staff. Book seats together so that you don’t have to worry about being interspersed with other passengers.

United Airlines– If you have a child under the age of 2, they can fly for free if they sit on your lap. United offers more space in economy class as well as seat back entertainment that includes children’s movies and video games to keep them entertained.

JetBlue– JetBlue is a discount carrier. For parents with small children, especially toddlers, there is more room to move around in the seats as well as seat back entertainment so each child can watch a movie or play a game if they wish. The staff is also quite pleasant and accommodating to families with children. Offer pre boarding for families.

British Airways – If you plan on traveling internationally, try to book a flight on an international carrier. Meals are served for children, which is not the case on most domestic carriers. Parents also have the option of blocking inappropriate channels with seat back entertainment. Activity packs are available for toddlers and older children to keep them occupied during long flights. Check for ticket discounts for toddlers and policies regarding booster seats.

PIN FOR LATER:

Other Things to Know

Book Early – Many airlines don’t offer advance boarding for families. To avoid walking through rows of people bumping and clanging, book early and choose a row closer to the front where you can sit together.

TSA PreCheck – It may save your family some time, if you have someone sign up for TSA PreCheck, it’s good for 5 years and only $85, especially if you have little children, here’s why:

Family members ages 12 and under traveling with an eligible parent or guardian with a TSA Pre✓® indicator on their boarding pass can participate in expedited screening.
Family members 13 and older must go through standard security lanes or should apply for a DHS trusted traveler program.

Bring snackson board for your children. Many airplanes don’t cater to children when it comes to meals, so you can bring nutritious items for them to eat if they get hungry.

Make sure they have their own entertainment, like the Fire Kids edition tablet with their own shows ALREADY DOWNLOADED! That’s the key phrase here. Most planes are starting to be equipped with WIFI but not for downloading videos and there are times the WIFI doesn’t work on the planes.

Don’t envision traveling with your children as a nightmare waiting to happen. Choose an airline that will make the job easier.

Mom I’m hungry, can we get something to eat?

If you are traveling on the road this summer you are bound to hear the statement above. If you are like a lot of families you don’t want to have to stop at every rest stop to get something to eat for your children. It can be costly and probably not the most healthiest way to travel.

Here is a great list of 20 trip friendly snacks you want to make sure you have in your car or in your travel bag.

When you are traveling the last thing you want to do is pack clothing, shoes or accessories that will weigh you down. You need to pack items that will allow you to travel light, as light as you can (you don’t want to have to pay extra for baggage fees due to weight restrictions). When you are packing for your trip, find clothing that are wrinkle free and light weight and that can be mixed and matched to create multiple looks.

Here are some great ways to travel light with a few different pieces of clothing. (*affiliate links below*)

For the bottoms – wear trendy and timeless shorts and pants that are light weight and neutral so you can pair them up with multiple tops.

Picking out the perfect outfit for your family vacation can be a daunting task but we have found some great looks for moms, dads, and kids of all ages and stages. Here are our family travel fashion picks that will make you anxious to hit the sand! (*links below are affiliate links*)

Mom will look great in this one piece swimsuit and crochet cover up! Pair with a matching tote and neutral flip flops and mom has this look covered!

There are some great looks out now so it’s best to grab them while you can. Once the warmer weather become more consistent you will have a hard time getting these fabulous fashion trends for your family vacation to the beach!

Family vacations can be pricey! You have to pay for lodging, transportation, food, and then there are all of the unexpected expenses before leaving and once you get there. Here are a few ways to make your family vacation a bit more budget friendly.

The Right Time

There are a lot of cases in which the timing of your vacation can really save you money. For instance, if you are going to the beach, the peak season is usually the month around Spring Break and then from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. However, in many areas it is still warm enough to enjoy the beach before or after those dates.

You’ll find that if you go a little earlier or a little later in the year you can get off-season rates on lodging that could save you hundreds of dollars. Research the area that you plan to visit and find out if the local lodging has seasonal rates and plan your trip accordingly.

Budget Friendly Rentals

Major hotel chains and large condominiums are not the only way to stay when going on vacation. Here are a few options you may not have considered that could also save you a lot of money:

VRBO – VRBO, or Vacation Rental by Owner, is a great site that has a large amount of rentals in popular tourist destinations. Most of the homes are owned and operated by a single owner as opposed to a property management company. Since they don’t have the management fees, often the rates are much less than those at a condo or hotel.

Craigslist – Most vacation spots in larger areas have a section on Craigslist for vacation rentals. You can often find great rates this way.

Hotels.com – If you are still set on using a hotel or if that better accommodates your needs, try booking online to save money. With hotels.com, you can get the 10th night free when you book through them, so that is great savings as well.

Cooking on Vacation

It may save you a lot of money in the long run to book a rental with a full kitchen. I know it may seem awful to have to cook on vacation, but just having a kitchen to bake a frozen pizza, quick dinners or even having a cereal breakfast on the go can save you so much money from eating out for each meal.

You may consider making a few freezer meals ahead of time to have dinners that don’t require cooking. Or if you are going with multiple families, each family could take a night to be in charge of dinner. It can get so pricey to eat out each meal while on vacation and that is a simple way to save.

Shopping on Vacation

If you are budgeting money for souvenirs, try getting away from the main tourist areas to shop. Try a local store or an antique store to get something truly unique that you’ll cherish. Not only will the prices be cheaper, but you will appreciate your vacation souvenir even more.

Also, there are some things that you may need to purchase once you arrive to your vacation destination, such as sand toys for the beach, or items you may have left at home. Look for local thrift stores to purchase those things used and save a lot of money.

Online Savings

Look online ahead of time for ways to save on dinners out, excursions with the family, and more. Check Groupon or Restaurants.com for local restaurant savings. Check websites to print coupons for excursions, theater tickets, or other vacation adventures. Call ahead of time to the museums, amusement parks, and other places you’d like to visit and ask if they have special discounts on specific days or any online coupons.

Even the most frugal people can tend to get lax on vacation and spend more on items than they usually would. Keep those frugal intuitions focused while on vacation and while your planning your vacation and you’ll find that you can save an incredible amount all while having the time of your life.

What are some things you have done as ways to save money on your family vacation?

We have put together a list of 3 helpful tips for traveling with special needs children. Traveling has become more and more difficult over the years, but it is something we just have to do from time to time. We like taking trips to visit out of state family members, or just to get away from the day to day grind that we face. Some may even dread making travel plans and some may actual enjoy them (if that’s you, take a quick bow, because I applaud you). When you are making plans for a trip, whether your are flying, going by train, boat or car, you will need to plan ahead to insure that your travel needs are met, and the earlier you start, the better off you all will be.

3 helpful tips for traveling with special needs children:

1. Every child is special and unique. Some kids and their families will encounter extra challenges while traveling due to the nature of their unique qualities. Even among kids with special needs, there is too much beautiful variety to suggest a one-size-fits-all travel plan. You know your child and what works for them, or are at least figuring it out little by little. My husband and I are foster parents to 8 amazing children with significant special needs, and we are just happy if we know more this month than we did last month. It’s a lot of trial and error, but even if I find something that works for one child, more than likely it doesn’t work as well for another, even another child with the same diagnosis. So I really only have one universal tip for traveling with children with special needs. It’s free. It’s simple. It’s effective. It’s certainly not ground-breaking, but something we as parents need to be encouraged in. So here you go: Advocate. Never be too timid or embarrassed to advocate for your child’s needs. You don’t have to be rude about it, but you are the one who can speak up for your child when they can’t speak up for themselves. Call the airline, the hotel, the tour company, whoever you need to, to make arrangements IN ADVANCE. It’s much harder for them to accommodate you if they are caught by surprise, so the sooner you speak up, the better. When you advocate for your child with assertive sincerity, you will usually be met with understanding and helpfulness. — Tip courtesy of Sheila Chery – If This Life I Lose

2. Children respond to crowds and noise, among other daily stressors and traveling may heighten those so make sure you pack everything you think your child might want and/or need during their traveling journey. If your child is sensitive to noise, these noise canceling headphones by Golzer are a must-have! You might want to include and extra bag with a change of clothing, a sensory bag or a fidget toy like the Tangle Jr. or the Tangle Relax, or their favorite toy, soft blanket, stuffed animal or any other calming item that soothes them. By being prepared with items that your child is familiar with, it will act as a great aid for kids who are or may be anxious travelers.

3. Prepare your child in advance for their upcoming travel experience. You can prepare your child by sharing a fun-based story about traveling. If you are traveling by plane, perhaps this My Plane Trip coloring book, or Going on a Plane might be helpful. Your child may have to read (or be read to) several times prior to your trip. You can also prepare your child before the trip by creating a special traveling activity book that is interactive so your child can take part in the whole experience of traveling from start to finish. You can give this Kids Travel Journal or this one, so kids can get excited and be part of the planning process.

Bottom line is this, you know your child better than anyone else. Start planning your trip early on so you don’t forget to include everything you need for a smooth travel experience. What is one of your favorite, helpful tops for traveling with your special needs child?

Pin our 3 Helpful Tips For Traveling With Special Needs Children for later use!

About Marla

My name is Marla Murasko. I am a Down Syndrome Parent Influencer & Lifestyle Blogger. I love being a Mom and wife, and love spending time with my family. I pride myself on advocating for my son, … [Read More...]

Follow Me!

My Instagram

Follow Me On Twitter

About Marla

My name is Marla Murasko. I am a Down Syndrome Parent Influencer & Lifestyle Blogger. I love being a Mom and wife, and love spending time with my family. I pride myself on advocating for my son, … [read more]

Follow Me!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.